Heartburn (acid reflux) Treatments
Drugs
Antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, alginates, inhibitors of proton pump, and other alternative treatments are used to treat heartburn.
Examples of antacids include:
• Alka-Seltzer
• Quick-Eze
• Tums, Alka-2, Titralac, excess gum
• Milk of magnesia
• Amphojel, AlternaGEL
• Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Gelusil, Gaviscon
• Pepto-Bismol
Antacids
Antacids work by using databases to relieve pain. Although stomach acid splashes into the esophagus yet, will be neutralized, leading to a decrease or absence of symptoms of heartburn. Antacids provide fast relief of symptoms, but relief typically lasts for only a short time.
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate is a base, when introduced into the stomach, this compound acts as an antacid. A simple and relatively harmless for the treatment of an acid at once a solution is to drink a small amount of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) mixed with water, which quickly neutralizes the acid that causes pain. Excess intake of sodium, however, is believed to increase blood pressure and cause other health problems.
H2 receptor antagonists
Often known as H2 blockers, H2-receptor antagonists work by decreasing the amount of acid in the body releases in the stomach. H2S are systemic, ie they require absorption into the blood stream to work. Therefore, H2 can often take 30 minutes or more before starting work, and thus are often taken to prevent heartburn rather than for fast relief of symptoms.
Alginates
Alginates work differently than antacids and H2 blockers form a protective barrier in the stomach that prevents acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. Alginic acid is naturally occurring (from brown seaweed) and not systemic. Alginates provide faster relief than H2 receptor antagonists and PPIs, and more lasting relief than antacids. This is also known for having a better overall result for relief.
Inhibitors of the proton pump
Inhibitors of proton pump, called PPIs are a class of drugs may be effective for people who do not respond to acid blockers or antacids. Inhibitors of the proton pump are systemic and directly block the production of acid in the stomach cells. In order to prevent heartburn medication disfigures and disables the proteins (proton pump) that control the pH of the stomach, allowing the body to digest. Inhibitors of proton pump are not fast acting, but provide lasting relief. PPI drugs are intended to be short term only.
Restrict the diet
Restricting diet is very important since about 90-95% of patients with heartburn or esophageal disorder can link their symptoms to specific foods. Therefore, it is important that those suffering from heartburn manage their diet as a means to treat heartburn. Patients should choose the type of foods and beverages that have little risk of causing acid reflux, while some kinds of food or drinks to be avoided, since they are major heartburn triggers. Specifically, it has been shown that fatty foods and caffeinated beverages can cause symptoms of heartburn.
Milk consumption is not a recommended treatment for heartburn. A glass of milk can provide quick relief, however, milk contains calcium and protein, which stimulates more production of stomach acid. Therefore, shortly after drinking a glass of milk, heartburn can become more severe.
Positional therapy
Sleep on the left side have been shown to reduce reflux episodes during the night in patients.
A meta-analysis suggests that the elevation of the head of the bed is an effective therapy, although this conclusion was only supported by nonrandomized studies. The head of the bed can be elevated by plastic or wood strips that hold the bed posts or legs, a bed wedge pillow therapy, or a wedge or an inflatable mattress lifter that fits between the mattress and the mattress. The elevation height is critical and must be at least at least minimally effective in preventing reflux of gastric juices. Some innerspring mattresses do not work well when inclined and can cause back pain, some prefer foam mattresses. Some practitioners use a higher pitch than predicted by the commonly suggested and claim greater success.
Surgery
In some cases, laparoscopic surgery of the esophagus may be a possible alternative treatment.
Drugs
Antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, alginates, inhibitors of proton pump, and other alternative treatments are used to treat heartburn.
Examples of antacids include:
• Alka-Seltzer
• Quick-Eze
• Tums, Alka-2, Titralac, excess gum
• Milk of magnesia
• Amphojel, AlternaGEL
• Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Gelusil, Gaviscon
• Pepto-Bismol
Antacids
Antacids work by using databases to relieve pain. Although stomach acid splashes into the esophagus yet, will be neutralized, leading to a decrease or absence of symptoms of heartburn. Antacids provide fast relief of symptoms, but relief typically lasts for only a short time.
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate is a base, when introduced into the stomach, this compound acts as an antacid. A simple and relatively harmless for the treatment of an acid at once a solution is to drink a small amount of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) mixed with water, which quickly neutralizes the acid that causes pain. Excess intake of sodium, however, is believed to increase blood pressure and cause other health problems.
H2 receptor antagonists
Often known as H2 blockers, H2-receptor antagonists work by decreasing the amount of acid in the body releases in the stomach. H2S are systemic, ie they require absorption into the blood stream to work. Therefore, H2 can often take 30 minutes or more before starting work, and thus are often taken to prevent heartburn rather than for fast relief of symptoms.
Alginates
Alginates work differently than antacids and H2 blockers form a protective barrier in the stomach that prevents acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. Alginic acid is naturally occurring (from brown seaweed) and not systemic. Alginates provide faster relief than H2 receptor antagonists and PPIs, and more lasting relief than antacids. This is also known for having a better overall result for relief.
Inhibitors of the proton pump
Inhibitors of proton pump, called PPIs are a class of drugs may be effective for people who do not respond to acid blockers or antacids. Inhibitors of the proton pump are systemic and directly block the production of acid in the stomach cells. In order to prevent heartburn medication disfigures and disables the proteins (proton pump) that control the pH of the stomach, allowing the body to digest. Inhibitors of proton pump are not fast acting, but provide lasting relief. PPI drugs are intended to be short term only.
Restrict the diet
Restricting diet is very important since about 90-95% of patients with heartburn or esophageal disorder can link their symptoms to specific foods. Therefore, it is important that those suffering from heartburn manage their diet as a means to treat heartburn. Patients should choose the type of foods and beverages that have little risk of causing acid reflux, while some kinds of food or drinks to be avoided, since they are major heartburn triggers. Specifically, it has been shown that fatty foods and caffeinated beverages can cause symptoms of heartburn.
Milk consumption is not a recommended treatment for heartburn. A glass of milk can provide quick relief, however, milk contains calcium and protein, which stimulates more production of stomach acid. Therefore, shortly after drinking a glass of milk, heartburn can become more severe.
Positional therapy
Sleep on the left side have been shown to reduce reflux episodes during the night in patients.
A meta-analysis suggests that the elevation of the head of the bed is an effective therapy, although this conclusion was only supported by nonrandomized studies. The head of the bed can be elevated by plastic or wood strips that hold the bed posts or legs, a bed wedge pillow therapy, or a wedge or an inflatable mattress lifter that fits between the mattress and the mattress. The elevation height is critical and must be at least at least minimally effective in preventing reflux of gastric juices. Some innerspring mattresses do not work well when inclined and can cause back pain, some prefer foam mattresses. Some practitioners use a higher pitch than predicted by the commonly suggested and claim greater success.
Surgery
In some cases, laparoscopic surgery of the esophagus may be a possible alternative treatment.
Aysa Ghyna
Acid Reflux,
Acid Reflux Treatment,
Heartbun,
Heartbun Treatment